Nothing says spring quite like mud, cold nights, and a snowy drive home. We kicked off our overlanding season with a trip that tested gear, patience, and traction—all in the best way possible.
The crew met up in Lornville and headed out for the first campout of the year. It was also the Moosewagen’s first off-road test. If you’ve been following us, you know the Moosewagen is our lifted Volvo XC70 build—and it handled the backwoods like a champ. Deep mud, slick ruts, and uneven trails couldn’t stop it.
Temps dipped low, so the diesel heater ran all night while I camped in the SUV tent setup. Sleeping in the car gave me a better feel for how much usable space I’ve really got for future trips. Between staying warm and staying organized, it was a solid test.
We woke up to a mix of cold rain and light snow. Not ideal—but it made the coffee and hot breakfast even better. There’s something about cooking in the wet that just makes everything taste earned.
By the time we packed up and hit the road, the snow was coming down for real. The drive back was slow and slick, but peaceful. No crowds, no noise—just the road and the snow.
Not your typical spring getaway, but exactly our kind of trip.